Here I am yet again. I have googled for days on in and am back to square one. I need help setting up an email server on Redhat 9. After all my research, I decided that I want to use sendmail for my MTA. It just seems the easiest to get docs for. But you must remember that I am a newbie and have (relatively) no clue what is going on. Also, I want to setup a pop/imap server (on the same box), but want it as simple as possible. I have no DNS stuff setup on my box either (again because I have no clue what I am doing here).I understand that I should not be asking for this much help, and asking such a broad question, however I plead to you today for help. Needless to say this is very frustrating and I am considering returning to windows (which I don't want to do).

basketkase999

Take a look Here

Scroll down to chapter 21 Configuring Linux Mail, should be a good starting point

Sendmail ain't easy, takes time to get your head round it

Pete

Pete,

I really appreciate it! I actually had found this about an hour before your post and was going through it! It is a great resource all around! Thanks for your support!

Basketkase999

Remember that an email server is vunerable to attack from spammers and people sending viruses.

Be sure that your server is not running as an open relay. Also you should secure your logins for pop and imap as well to prevent password theft.

Thanks David. So now I have come accross DNS problems in setting this up. The problem: I don't know how. This server is NOT for intranet. I want it to be used for real email. I will primarily be using squirrelmail, which i know how to setup. Its setting up the dns records that is giving me a very hard time. Any HowTos out there or any example i can use (ideally where i only change the info for my domain and ip).

The bind howtos should get you going. If you can get a specific problem let us know.

http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/howto/DNS-HOWTO

The section on testing your setup here should help as well.

Post your network information and bind config files so we may see the problem if it's obvious.

Basically you need to add the zone for your local network to named.conf and then create the zone file adding the information to it.

Test everything to be sure it all works completely for lookups.

David, I thank you. I will work on this for the next couple of hours and will post my status later this evening, whether it was successful or not. Again, thanks.

Cesar

OK,

I added this above but I'm not sure you saw it as you were posting...


Basically you need to add the zone for your local network to named.conf and then create the zone file adding the information to it.

Test everything to be sure it all works completely for lookups.

I normally setup my DNS server to use 127.0.0.1 as the nameserver in /etc/resolv.conf


Good luck, let us know.

basketkase999

If you have a static IP and a registered domain name all you really need to do is create an MX record for your domain pointing to the IP of your Linux box or router whichever is connected to the internet

Most web hosts normally provide a mechanism which allows you to do this

By all means set up your own Bind server, which I think David is suggesting but it does rather complicate things for you

The most important thing you need is a Static IP otherwise whichever method you choose will fail, there are options to get around using a dynamic IP but thats another story

DavidPhillips not trying to be critical of your advise just trying to help Cesar achieve his goals

Pete

Two points on this issue. I do have a dynamic ip through sbcglobal however it does not change. I do not know if this will be considered under the same conditions as a static ip. Secondly, should I only need to edit the mx records what files should I edit/create?

Cesar

Providing your IP does'nt change you will be ok, I supposedly have a dynamic one but it has'nt changed for 2 years

Assuming you have a FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) correctly registered, the company who you registered the name with most likely hold the DNS records for it

If this is the case you will have to modify this record at their end either via a user interface provided by them or by asking them to modify the records for you

Let me know the company who you registered with and I will take a look for you

Pete

I got my domain through domains.yahoo.com .

Cesar

Is this where you registered your domain

Yahoo

If so you should be able ta access this feature which is exactly what you are looking for

You need to add a MX record which points to your public IP address

Then any mail sent from the Internet to cesar@yourdomain com will be directed to your mail server

I know it's complicated but eventually it will all fit into place, took me a long time to grasp all the in's and out's

Pete

Pete,

I appreciate it greatly. I set that up and I am successfully sending and recieving email now! all is well! I would like to thank you, and David for all the help both of you have provided me over the last couple of days! Hopefully one day I will be as knowledgable as you two so that I can help others in the Linux Community.

Cesar

Well done Cesar

Glad to be of service

Pete